Kodagu (Karnataka), Aug 18 (IANS): Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday visited the flood-hit Kodagu district in the southern state, where hundreds are marooned in villages and towns due to heavy rains.

“At least 1,500 people are stranded in various parts of the district, but the rescue officials have not been able to reach them due to bad weather and landslides. Efforts are being made to rescue them,” Kumaraswamy told reporters here.

The Chief Minister earlier in the day held a meeting with district officials on the flood situation in Kodagu, and on heavy rains lashing coastal and south interior districts.

He made an aerial survey of the coffee-growing district, about 270km from the state capital Begaluru. THe district is one of the worst-hit districts in the southern state.A

“The officials are trying to airlift people in the district, but the weather has not been very favourable,” the Chief Minister said.

Another 525 personnel from the fire services, home guards and civil defence teams are working on the rescue operations in the district.

In all, 948 specialised rescuers from various state and central agencies are working in Kodagu district, a CMO statement said.

So far, more than 1,250 people have been rescued and shifted to about 30 relief camps set up across the district, the statement added.

Heavy rains have also been lashing coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada over the past few weeks.

The Bengaluru division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts heavy rains will continue over the next two days in the coastal and south interior districts of the state, including Kodagu.